Do my fish need a rest?

[Blue_SV650S]

If you have seen my other thread, you will know I have some new finned friends https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=165208

Now I am new to fish keeping and a little worried for the fellas ...

It is only a 5 liter tank and it has a pump in it that basically draws water up and spits it out the top, the top spout is a few MM over the surface of the water in the tank, the idea being that it aerates the water as the stream brakes/splashes down on the surface.

Now, as I said, its only a small tank ... and this pump actually causes quite a stir ... must be great for keeping the water from stagnating and aerating the water, but I think my poor little fish need to constantly swim against the current if they want to stay still (in relative terms) ...

So my question is ... should I turn the pump off overnight so the little fellas get a rest??
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[Alkydale]

If it's part of the filter, which it sounds like, I was advised not to turn it off for more than an hour or the water will become dirty and may harm your friends.

[Shaun]

Be very careful if you do decide to turn it off.

The fish will have grown strong by working out so much, turning off the filter and causing the current to suddenly stop could cause your somewhat butch fish to accidentally shoot forward smashing through the side of the tank and, ultimately, entering your chest so fast that if caught on video camera and played in reverse the footage could be used in a new Aliens film.

Risky business keeping fish, I applaud you for your intense and edgy lifestyle that you choose to live, I personally prefer a more sedate pet that is less likely to cause a massacre.

[CaNsA]

Throw a couple of cheap underwater ferns in there just where the water breaks the surface and it will slow the current down.

I lost a couple of fish when i got my 1st 5litre tank years ago due to the fish getting exhausted.

The ferns will help keep the eco system balanced aswell
https://www.watergarden.com/_update/pix/anacharis.gif

[mistergixer]

Personally, the only time i turn my filters off is when i'm cleaning them.
In brief: bacteria live in the filter, these break down the waste products in the tank, if the water isn't flowing through the filter the bacteria will eventually die and cause all sorts of problems with the water.
Big tanks are the way forward - more room for the fish and more stable water conditions.


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[The Shaggy D.A.]

Instead of turning it off, put it on reverse overnight and give your little friends a refreshing jacuzzi.
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[CaNsA]

Forgot to add,

It wont really harm the tank and fish that much. but it really depends on how many fish u have. i wouldnt have more than 2 in a 5l tank.

The amount of ammonia that the fish secrete from the gills is what will build up and kill them.

dont turn the filter off, But spend 3quid on plants and u will be sorted

[MinhDinh]

5 litres is tiny. if you have 60-70 quid then get a 70 litre for them. they will grow pretty fast and it would look like 10 chinese dvd sellers sleeping in one room
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[panrider_uk]

[CaNsA]

+2

not mark

[Blue_SV650S]

Ok, the little fellas have a bit of weed (and a Ducati ) so hopefully they can find a quiet spot ...

As it is such a small tank, the weed I got is very much too tall so it is kinda bulking up in the corner of the tank ... by the sounds of it, this might actually be an advantage for the fish

Oh and I got a small tank (and they are 'small' fantails - so shouldn't grow that big) as I didn't want a massive tank ... this little badboy sits on the corner of the computer desk

I think the first 2 weeks is where it is dangerous for the fish the Nitrate? levels can go all over the place whilst the bacteria are establishing themselves ....

I intend to take a medium sized glass of water out every day and put a fresh glass in (treated with water conditioner) to try and dilute it during this dangerous period ...

Fingers crossed!!!
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The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[MinhDinh]

5 LITRES is too small for 2 fan tails believe me.
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Hit the G spot.

[Blue_SV650S]

[CaNsA]

Mate thats fine for the short term, the fish will only grow as big as they can in any given environment.

after a few munfs get a larger tank and then watch them grow uber fast then stop cos they dont have the space.

Dont worry to much about ph and nitrate levels, the plants will balance that out.

do use water treatment stuff though, it keeps the fish happy.

lastly, dont put any ornaments int he tank that havent been boiled for about 20 mins, always wash ur hands before and after putting your hands in the water, and try to keep "invading the tank" to a bare minimum.

Peace

[Blue_SV650S]

[MinhDinh]

well usually the case it is 1 inch of fish is 1 gallon. obviously that is just a basic idea because a 22 inch fish in 22 gallons would be wrong.

as for the fish grow to the size of the tank, that is true but it is called stunting. it's not very healthy for the fish if they are stunted.
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[mistergixer]

^^ What MinhDinh said.
Stunting the growth of a fish by keeping it in too small a tank can have negative health implications. You should research the adult size of the fish you want and base your tank size around that. Coldwater fish are generally quite messy/dirty, so a larger tank gives a better 'buffer' for this.

I'm guessing from your comments that you have put fish straight into a 'new' tank - again, this can have negative implications. Ideally you should wait several weeks to allow the tank to begin its various 'cycles' prior to introducing fish. A planted aquarium does not 'balance the levels', that is done by the biological filtration of a 'healthy' cycled tank.

For a small tank like that, i would probably change 1/4 to 1/3 of the tank's volume approximately once a fortnight. It's a fine balance between not changing enough water, and changing too much - either way can be damaging to the water quality.

I wouldn't recommend washing your hands prior to putting them in the tank - this can leave a film of soap residue on your hands which may kill off some of your 'good' bacteria. However, do wash your hands after they've been in the tank, as people have caught all sorts of strange illnesses from tanks (Salmonella risk).

Bet you never realised there was so much involved in keeping fish! Whilst it is possible to keep fish in the most appalling conditions, it is your duty of care to provide them with the best possible environment to ensure their health and longevity.

Anything else is just cruel.



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Space Monkey #7
Don Eladio is dead. His capos are dead. You have no one left to fight for. Fill your pockets and leave in peace. Or fight me and die!
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[Blue_SV650S]

[rac3r]

Don't worry about the flow as most fishes prefer it. Also they're only gold fish which can even survive without a pump so as long as you do the basic things they'll be fine. I have a 5 litre biorb with 3 tropical fish and a crab so 2 gold fish will be fine
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[mistergixer]

[MinhDinh]

[Blue_SV650S]

[Finglonga]

How often are you going to clean the pump out? They are dirty feckers and poop for england so it will need to be quite often.

Also what pump have you got? From your other post it looks like a Fluval but if it is it also looks way too big for the tank.
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[MinhDinh]

[sickpup]

Can't be bothered to read the rest of the posts but...

If you turn the pump off the bacteria in the filter will die causing the tank to turn toxic.

Cold water fish need 12 square inches of water surface to support 1 inch of fish. Your tank has a surface area of 8 x 7.5 = 60 inches square so 5 inches of fish at most. Problem is you have such a small volume of water that it will need water changes every two days or so to dilute out the waste ammonia.